Garcia also discussed her takeaways from job research experience surveying prison inmates.

“(I observed)…personal growth and change, (as well as) field level survey experience … in working with an at-risk population.” said Garcia.

Garcia mentioned valuable activities available to students interested in Research, including the Community College Honors Research Symposium, ARC Research Club, and internships.

ARC student Shawn Shacterman said that he was attending the college hour because he was “new to ARC and interested in transferring in engineering.”

“She transferred to Stanford, which has a 1% transfer rate; I’m not necessarily interested in transferring to Stanford, but somewhere good, and I thought she would give tips to help you transfer successfully.” said Shacterman.

After the college hour, Garcia discussed the difficulties in her personal life.

She was born to a fifteen year old single mother, who was then diagnosed with an ultimately fatal brain tumor when Garcia was 1.

Her mother’s second, then undiagnosed, brain tumor led to agoraphobia, leaving her bedridden and depressed. Garcia became depressed herself, in part from taking over the household responsibilities at fourteen and she attempted suicide at sixteen.

“That whole teenage experience was incredibly hard but it shaped who I am today and I am

incredibly proud of everything I have accomplished so far and look forward to what is next.” said Garcia.

Those who taught Garcia in her time at ARC agree.

“She’s a wonderful example of what motivated students can accomplish at ARC.” said Anthropology Professor Kristina Casper-Denman of Garcia after the talk. “(She) … has always been an enthusiastic student, full of life and wonderful details.”

About the Author

Laurie is a first-semester student on the Current. She has earned an associate degree in gerontology and certificates in dietary management and is currently pursuing certificates in fitness training and universal design.